Emergency Aid for Afghan Families

The last several months of winter in Afghanistan have been harsh. Many deaths have happened because of avalanches and flooding, and thousands of poor Afghans have had their homes destroyed. The immediate need is food aid. International aid organizations weren’t prepared for the number of Afghans needing food assistance to alleviate starvation, so the Afghan Institute of Learning is working to fill this need. In January 2010, AIL expanded humanitarian aid efforts with the harsh winter and reached out to 22 families in need. AIL staff delivered to each family quantities of rice, cooking oil and tea. Most heads of the family were widows with children from Herat, and were recommended by community members. In February 2010, flooding in the Enjil district of Herat destroyed many family homes, and AIL responded with a concerted effort of initial food aid. AIL Accomplishments in 2009 included: • AIL trained over 1,800 Afghan teachers in pedagogy subjects, leadership, human rights, and school health. These teachers went to their classes and directly impacted over 500,000 students teaching these important subjects. • Nearly 23,000 students (primarily women and children) attended classes at AIL educational learning centers. • Over 362,000 Afghans received medical treatment and health education from AIL’s 6 health clinics and community health worker program. Reminder: On March 16, 2010, GlobalGiving will be matching all donations made to any project on www.globalgiving.org by 30% (up to $1,000 per person)! If you could like to donate again to our project, your donation will go further on March 16th!!!

Thank you so much for your generosity in helping needy Afghans during the winter over the last few years.

We wanted to let you know about an urgent need in Injil district of Herat Province in Afghanistan. This winter there has been a lot of rain in the district and many homes have been destroyed or heavily damaged from the flooding which followed the rains. Ultimately, the people will rebuild but now they urgently need food to get them through the winter.

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) has many women's learning centers and a large clinic in the district and has also done a lot of human rights, leadership, health and teacher training in the district. Because of the flooding, AIL has put out an urgent appeal. AIL is working hard to provide the basic food items that are needed for survival.

Anything that you can donate to help those who are homeless for the time being would be greatly appreciated.

We thank you again for your generous support and consideration.